Shibutanis in silver place is obviously going out on a limb, but their programs have come such a long way since the beginning of the season, especially their FD. So part of this is wishful thinking and part of it is thinking they could really pull ahead of V/M if they keep improving incrementally (the stars align just right)

I hate putting Suzuki this low, so if she can regain her early season form, she'll move up to at least 3rd. Besides Suzuki, I think Gold really is the wild card hear. At US Nationals Gold stated (paraphrase) that she could come back from a poor SP to do a flawless FS and put up huge scores. I'm not quite sure that is the lesson to be learned, but will see if, and how, mentally prepared she is for 4CC. If she comes out on fire it'll be an interesting competition for silver and possibly even gold with Asada, Osmond, Gold, and Suzuki eying the top spot.

Surprise: Li Zijun, the Chinese upstart, has taken the last 2 1/2 months to really polish and refine her FS, takes bronze in the process.

I admire your interesting predictions. Even as a major ShibSibs stan, I wouldn't dare make such a prediction. You are very bold in your thoughts. I like it!

Surprise: Li Zijun, the Chinese upstart, has taken the last 2 1/2 months to really polish and refine her FS, takes bronze in the process.

That would be awesome! And it's not unlikely for her to finish in the top 5. Out of the top 6 you mentioned, Li can definitely beat Murakami and Gao, if Osmond, Gold and Suzuki have a bad day (each one due to different reasons) the also can be beaten. Fortunately I doubt all 3 will perform in zamboni style but 1 or 2 - might happen. Plus, Osmond and Gold will be skating under a lot of pressure as the top skaters from their countries at their first 4cc before their first worlds where they are expected to do well while I think Li Zijun is somehow free of that pressure because she's not such a "sensation".

Shibutanis in silver place is obviously going out on a limb, but their programs have come such a long way since the beginning of the season, especially their FD. So part of this is wishful thinking and part of it is thinking they could really pull ahead of V/M if they keep improving incrementally (the stars align just right)

Surprise: Look at Silver

Hmm.. V/M had improved their SD, which would earn them a high SD score.

However, if their FD at 4CC is like the one they did at Nationals, S/S might win silver, but only if S/S skates with an almost-perfect SD/FD.

That would be awesome! And it's not unlikely for her to finish in the top 5. Out of the top 6 you mentioned, Li can definitely beat Murakami and Gao, if Osmond, Gold and Suzuki have a bad day (each one due to different reasons) the also can be beaten. Fortunately I doubt all 3 will perform in zamboni style but 1 or 2 - might happen. Plus, Osmond and Gold will be skating under a lot of pressure as the top skaters from their countries at their first 4cc before their first worlds where they are expected to do well while I think Li Zijun is somehow free of that pressure because she's not such a "sensation".

I found Li Zijun to be a lovely and artistic skater. She might have a hard time competing as a senior skater at first since she has no federation support, but I think she has a talent and might win a medal at 4CC I hope she skates well at 4CC!

Even as a major Shibs fan, I really think it's unrealistic for them to beat V/M. Even at their worst they still have about 10 point cushion on the rest of the field. Even with a complete disaster of a SD at Skate Canada, they still managed to place first ahead of C/L.

However, I do not see C/B as a shoo-in for bronze either. The Shibs lost bronze by 1.7 points. If they did not get their two lift deductions, they would have won silver again.

And G/P? Considering that they're 17.8 points behind the Shibs and 12.8 points behind in the SB's list, it's hard to say if they will bridge that gap at 4CC.

I am actually looking forward to see Kexin Zhang of China. Don't forget she was 7th in Worlds last year, right behind Mao, with a great technical scores and poor PCS. Her jumps are bigger than Li, and spins too in my opinion. But since this is her first competition this season, I am not sure what she can produce here.

I am actually looking forward to see Kexin Zhang of China. Don't forget she was 7th in Worlds last year, right behind Mao, with a great technical scores and poor PCS. Her jumps are bigger than Li, and spins too in my opinion. But since this is her first competition this season, I am not sure what she can produce here.

I'm looking forward to seeing her as well! Loved her gutsy skates last year!